Trap



March 10, 1925] J. PETERSON TRAP 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 2, 1924 [NV N TOR Pag r egg/$7027 I V I Q r Mai'ch 10, 1325. 1,529,501 P. .J. PETERSON TRAP Filed Dec. 2, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 12v VENTOR Patented Mar. 10, 1925 PATENT OFFICE.

PETER J. rE'rEEsoN, or OHUGWA'I'ER, WYOMING.

TRAP.

Application filed December 2, 1924. Serial No. 753,489.

To all whomit may, concern:

Be it known that 1, PETER J. PETERSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chugwater, in the county of Platte and State of Wyoming, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Traps, of

which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in traps and has relation more particulary to a device of this general character of an impaling or striking type and wherein the set striking member is released by the weight of the victim;

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this general character comprising a striking member mantained in set position by a latch mechanism, said latch mechanism being released upon weight being imposed upon a movable member properly positioned with respect to the striking member.

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a device of this general character wherein a latch mechanism operates to maintain a striking member in set position together with a platform supported for rocking movement and over which the victim is adapted to pass, said platform being operatively connected with the latch mechanism in a manner whereby depression of either end portion of the platform will efiect a release of the latch mechanism with respect to the striking member.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my im proved trap whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set. forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view in perspective illustrating a trap constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention with a second position of the striking member indicated by broken lines;

Figure 2 is a view in end elevation of the structure as illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation of the device as illustrated in Figure l with a side plate or wall removed;

Figure 4 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section illustrating a further embodiment of my invention;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure 4:;

Figure 6is a view in perspective of a por tion of the latch mechanism as herein disclosed;

a Figure 7 is a fragmentary view in perspective'of a further form of strikingmember.

Asparticularly illustrated in-Figures l, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings, my lIllPI'OVQd trap comprises a runway R of requlslte dlmensions and which comprises the base plates 1 and the side walls 2 and 3. One of said walls, as 3, being of a height less than the height of the side wall 2. Pivotally connected,-as at 4, to the lower margmal portion of the side wall 2 is a longitudinal marginal portion of a striking member M preferably of a length to extend a slight distance beyond the opposite ends of the runway It so that the swinging orrlifting of the member M into set position may be easily accomplished.

As disclosed in Figures 1, 2 and 3 the member M constitutes a wire structure although I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself inthis respect because said striking member 1 may be otherwise constructed. In Figure 7 I disclose a striking member M consisting of a plate herein disclosed as provided with openings'o. These openings 5 in addition to lightening the weight of the member M also serve to provide a more effective grip for holding of the victim. It is to be understood that these openings 5 as-also the openings in the member M are relatively small so that there will be no possibility of a victim passing therethrough.

The pivoted marginal portion of the member M has engaged therewith in a conventional manner the springs 6 operating under sufficient tension to throw the striking member M downwardly with suflicient force to killa victim passing through the runway.

The free longitudinal marginal portion of the member -M has disposed laterally an opening 15; throughwhich is adapted to be disposed theupper end portionof the trends-thereof are-the membersQO. ;v Ais herein1 disclosed, the membersQQ are rod and, each'rod'is slidably disposed sthrough aside,

therefrom a loop or hasp 7 of a length to extend througha suitably positioned opening S ip the wall 2 softhat the member may be held in raised or set position by a sultable latch mechanism. p, I

As herein disclosed,- the l'atch 'me ch'anism comprises a vertically disposed lever or relatively close proximity to;its, lower end for pivotal movement by the wall 2;"such sistingof a staple i'nember m --w all 2;'for swingingor rocking movement in a vertical directionisa plate llhav ng it l ngi ud na wm ris n l po t onsn evi with the strengthening flanges 12. -;-;[:his plate 11 extends beyond I opposite s des, of H the Wvall 2 and said plate 11 outwardly of its pivotal 'mounting 1tv is gprovided with lever or trigger 9.

illhe base plates ,1 are arrangedt at the opposite ends of the runway-and provide therebetwee'nfla central base opening i6 111.

which is positioned a platform 17, said; platof the platform-17- immediatelyadjacentgthe f portion of the plate 11 remote from :the end of the platform i 17 with which it-1is:op era -tively enga'ged, such arrangementqin the -'-'-ing the; members or rods ZQJtoY haVe-overp present embodiment 3.0 fi my; 1invention;-causapp ngv l t o a a mm e w h lt in relatively close proxi nity to the ,plate 11; as is clearly illustratedin- Figures, 1 and 3 of i f the plate il has? adj ustably mounted theretheaccompanying drawings.,-.,-

- *Each of; the membersjqlrliodsiOlabiive on' aheador} enlargement; 21, the same being herein disclosed as winged n ut o Whenvthe'memberf'liLis ,in; its or' setposition and 'the trigger 9 operatively engaged with the; loop or hasp 7 and with the plate 11, the enlargements or heads 21 of both of theinernbers 'orrods 20 will be incontact with the inner end portion of the plate 11.

As a victim enters therunway and passes upon the platform 17 from either end, the

weight of the victim will depress said end portion of the platform resulting'in a' member or rod 20 operatively flengaged with said end. portion of the platform to impose a downward pull upon; the inner; {end portion of t e p l efi il n IthQ-J P PQ EB outer end portion of the plate swinging upherein'after claimed.

i,529,5oi

wardly and free from the trigger or lever 9 whereupon the springs 6 will force the member BL downwardly" with -.zsufficient impact to strike and hold the victim from above, the blow being generally sufficient to kill the vi'ct-im. A trap such as this does not require the trigger 9 pivotally connected at a point in" use of bait although if preferred the same canbe employed, This trapping of the victim is furth'erfacilitated by having each of the base platesl of such, a..length, asto as and 9f the drawings. With the use of this attachment the s'e't'trap' is positioned in relativelyqclose proximity to, the opening froin whichl thevietim expected to emerge and :my, improved attachment is engaged oventhe adjacent end of' the runway and v direetly:above the opening. 'This attachment constitutesa'meinber '22. of desired dimensions and preferably in-the' form of an inyerted ll-in; cross section and, having one end closed by a plate '23., The open end 1: o rtion, of ,the member 22 is engaged'with an end-portion ofthe trap proper as is beliey ed to be clearly shown in Figure l'of the drawings. This attachment or member 22 constitutes a continuation of the runway R and sused to, assure that the vict m as he leaves the opening or burrow can only pass out through the runway R.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious-that atrap constructed inaccordance with invention is particularly well "adapted for use by reason of the 'conveni'ence and facilitygwith which it .lnaybe assembled and operated, andit will als'o be obviousthat my invention is sus- X cep'tible of some jc'hange, and'inodifieation without departing from the principles'fand spirit thereof and for this reason I'do not wi sh to be understood as limiting myself to 'fthe precise arrangement and-formation of v the several 1 parts herein shown in carrying practice except as out j myinvention in I claim 7 1. A trap comprising, runway, a striking member mounted therein, a latchmechanism for holding the striking member in set position, 'said- "latch mechanism including a movable member engageable with the striking member, a rock memberengageable with the movable member to hold the movable member-in engagement withthe striking member, a platform within the runway supported intermediate its ends for swinging movement, an open ative'c'onnection between each end portion of the platform and'the rock member to disin combination, a

engage the rock member from the movable member upon movement in one direction of either end portion of the platform, each of said operative connections comprising a rod slidably disposed through the rock member, and an enlargement carried by the rod outwardly of the rock member for contact therewith.

2. A trap comprising, in combination, a runway, a striking member mounted therein, a latch mechanism for holding the striking member in set position, said latch mechanism including a movable member engageable with the striking member, a rock member engageable with the movable member to hold the movable member in engagement with the striking member, a platform within the runway supported intermediate its ends for swinging movements, and members operatively connecting the outer end portions of the platform and the rock member to disengage the rock member from the movable member upon movement in one direction of either end portion of the platform, each of said members being provided with means for contact with the rock member.

3. A trap comprising, in combination, a runway, a striking member mounted therein, a latch mechanism for holding the striking member in set position, said latch mecha-- nism including a movable member engageable with the striking member, a rock member engageable with the movable member to hold the movable member in engagement with the striking member, a platform within the runway supported intermediate its ends for swinging movement, and members operatively connecting the outer end portions of the platform and the rock member to disengage the rock member from the movable member upon movement in one direction of either end portion of the platform, each of said members being provided with means for contact with the rock member outwardly of said rock member.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

PETER J. PETERSON. 

